The Byzantine Art Movement was around from the 5th century to the middle of the 15th century, when the Byzantine Empire existed. The movement originated in the Orthodox Church and spread to other regions where the church was dominant, yet remained centered in Constantinople. These regions include Russia, Greece and some slavic nations. Since the movement originated in the church, the artists were restricted by regulations that the church imposed on them. This helps to explain why practically all of the art had a religious theme.
This movement’s style, which was mainly seen in religious paintings, mosaics, buildings and icons, was characterized by bright and rich colors, mosaic tiles, solid tone or gold backgrounds and flat human figures that were often unnatural and lifeless. Placing another figure higher than the first one showed distance. There were usually two ways in which the humans were portrayed. One way featured the humans in full length, facing the front. This was to express power and authority and the people were usually gesturing meaningfully or holding symbolic objects. The rigid folds in their clothes were meant to highlight these frontal figures. The second way of drawing humans was used in illustrating religious narratives. In these images the figures are turned and are gesturing to express emotion, like distress, sympathy and others. However, the emotions were always subtle and in control. The fluid, moving folds in the clothes were meant to show movement and emotion. In decorative architecture, mosaics were used very often, covering large areas in the buildings. These mosaics were colorful and illustrated, once again, religious characters and themes. The rich colors, expensive materials such as gold and ivory and intricate patterns in this art served to show off the wealth and power of the Byzantine Empire. Even though the movement became unpopular after the fall of the empire, its influence could still be felt in other countries the movement spread to.
Sources:
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Byzantium/art.html
http://www.arthistoryguide.com/Byzantine_Art.aspx
http://virtualology.com/hallofartmovements/byzantineart.org/
